"One of the few givens of a Super Bowl broadcast is that the game will set a new broadcast record. This year's game features the two best teams in football... and the turbo fuel of a pregame controversy (Deflate-gate) that has crossed over into popular culture.

The bottom line: If the game is close heading into the fourth quarter, the viewership number is going to be a monster."

"This Super Bowl has it all -- two truly great teams; two marquee QB's; and a bunch of characters on either team to love or despise. On top of all that, throw in a scandal that delivers new tidbits each day, and you've got a new record."

John Berman, co-anchor of CNN's AT This Hour & CNN's resident Patriots fan

Prediction: Exactly the same as last year

"Upward trend of ratings for live events (especially sports) will be tempered by Patriots malaise. For some people, Tom Brady is just too pretty."

"I think the audience will be slightly lower this year. NFL ratings were not as strong this year as last year and the conference championship games were both down significantly from a year ago which is always a good bellwether."

"The remarkable thing about last year's record-setting viewership is that the game wasn't close. All the check boxes from last year are checked. With the added check for 'villains everyone outside of New England is rooting against' it's hard to imagine the game won't set a new record."

The New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks in Super XLIX this Sunday on NBC. Kickoff time is 6:30 p.m. Eastern.